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Make It Plain: Accessibility and Usability Through Plain Language. #PlainLanguageForAll / #UofIWebCon University of IL Web Conference: April 2013. Angela M. Hooker @ AccessForAll ange la hooker.com. These are summary slides.
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Make It Plain:Accessibility and UsabilityThrough Plain Language #PlainLanguageForAll / #UofIWebCon University of IL Web Conference: April 2013 Angela M. Hooker @AccessForAll angelahooker.com
These are summary slides • Thanks for viewing my slides! I’ve condensed and summarized what I presented in my session. • Please visit the links that I’ve included inside the slides—they’re underlined so you can find them easily. Also read the slide notes. • If you have trouble using these slides because of accessibility problems, please write to me at ange@angelahooker.com. Even accessibility fans make mistakes, and I want to learn from mine. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
The beauty of the web is … it’s a great place to have a conversation with your users @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
You want to: • Communicate your information so users will take action (buy, sell, read, subscribe, etc.) • Meet your users’ needs • Help them complete tasks or find important information @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
We’ve learned that we create technological barriers to our content, but sometimes, we also create barriers to understanding … with our words. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Common content problems @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
The wrong people write content “ For ‘tis the sport to have the enginerhoist with his own petard, an’t shall go hard … WTH are you saying, Shakespeare? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Perhaps it’s the institution The institution might dictate what content goes on the organization’s website. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
“In order to make people understand your organization’s materials, and get one’s point across, so that everyone knows what one means, it’s important that one doesn’t ramble on and use more words than necessary.” (Some content is wordy.) @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Jargon hides meaning “We’re implementing a skills mix adjustment at Acme Corp.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Slang or regional terms Some writers use slang and/or region or country-centric terms. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
“Pedantic” content Showy, extravagant words; overly precise; or formal: “The politicians pontificated about the failed budget.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Forgetting the audience Those examples of bad content aren’t meaningful to users. People write content without considering the intendedand the potential audiences. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Blaming the users Just because someone can’t understand your content doesn’t mean they are unintelligent. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
“ It’s not how you said it—it’s what you wrote or spoke. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
How can plain language help? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Plain languageis … … writing that people can easily understand the first time they read or hear it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Plain languageis … … usable and meets your users’ needs, so they can complete specific tasks on your site, social media channels, app, podcast, etc. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Your users won’t have to read your content several times to understand it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
It reduces user frustration, because it boosts reading ease. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
People willrespect your “brand,” and see your site as authoritative (this is not limited to for-profit sites). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
You’ll retain more users, and your users will remain loyal to you. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
These benefits can widen your site’s appeal, audience,andinfluence. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Don’t believe it! “But 75 percent of _____ users are _____ with an advanced degree!” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Don’t believe it! “Plain language isn’t sophisticated, it’s ‘dumbed down,’ or doesn’t reflect the gravity of the topic without using big words.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Plain language isn’t “dumbed down” content—it’s about clearly communicating with whomever reads or hears your information and meeting their needs. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
It doesn’t matter if you have valuable information if people can’t understand it, use it, react to it, or act on it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Frustration = the back button Remember:Good content means access for everyone (or as many as possible)! @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Using plain language supports “P-O-U-R” principles from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
WCAG 2.0 principles of accessibility Perceivable Operable Understandable Robust @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
The“understandable”principle “Information and the operation of user interface must be understandable. “This means that users must be able to understand the information as well as the operation of the user interface (the content or operation cannot be beyond their understanding).” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Plain language supports POUR Plain language makes your content accessible, and supports the goal of providing universal access for everyone (or as many as possible!). @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Consider users with different needs @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Don’t forget … People with low literacy skills People with low language proficiency People with cognitive impairments People with autism/Asperger syndrome People with dyslexia People who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing People who are aging @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
For example … @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Three people … A non-native English speaker A person who is cognitively impaired A person with autism It wasn’t scientific, but I tested two content examples @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
I asked for opinions … You’ve probably noticed the popular trend to ask a question in the form of an incomplete sentence: “What do you think “Got milk?” means? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
I asked for opinions … “Got milk?” The person who is cognitively impaired said, “What type of milk is got milk, and who’s asking me about it? “Do they want my milk? “Does someone think I have a cow?” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
I asked for opinions … “Got milk?” The person who is a non-native English speaker said, [After a sigh] “I have a hard time with questions like these. “I don’t know if someone’s asking me for advice or if they want something of mine.” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
I asked for opinions … “Hope you can make this important session!” The person who has autism said, “Am I supposed to hope? “Is one person hoping? “Is a group of people hoping? “Is someone talking to Hope? “Is she (Hope) supposed to go to an important session? “Does someone want me to create a session? “Should Hope or I make a session important? How would we do that?” @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Here’s what you can do @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Learn plain language mechanics Plain Language Guidelines from Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)http://www.plainlanguage.gov/howto/guidelines/FederalPLGuidelines/index.cfm The Center for Plain Language’s guidelineshttp://centerforplainlanguage.org/about-plain-language/guidelines-for-creating-plain-language-materials/ The Center for Plain Language’s checklisthttp://centerforplainlanguage.org/about-plain-language/checklist/ @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Write foryour specific audience. AND Write for average comprehension. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Don’t do this … ? @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
? (Don’t be “clever.”) @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Assume that your audience is intelligent, but don’t assumethey’re familiar with your topic. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Use the inverted pyramid method: Put the most important information at the top and the background information below it. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll
Be concise—cut out excess/filler words; use minimal text and short sentences. @AccessForAll / #PlainLanguageForAll